Smoke testing of sewerage networks will begin this week in Biloela and will continue over the coming weeks. Notices will be delivered if your area will be affected. The smoke used is similar to special effects smoke and is non-toxic, non-staining, has no odour, is white to grey in colour and does not create a fire hazard.

The smoke should not enter your home or business unless you have defective plumbing or dried up drain traps.

Work may involve several visits to private properties with a sewer manhole located on their land. Residents are not required to be home during the testing but ask that all pets are safely secured. Smoke testing crews will be documenting the testing.

Smoke testing is a method of detecting broken pipes and cracks and defects in the sewerage network that can allow rainwater and stormwater to enter the pipes. Additional water entering the sewer system can cause problems during wet weather such as backups, overflows to the environment and also result in higher costs for the community due to additional pumping and treatment costs.

The process involves forcing non-toxic smoke through the sewer pipes until it exits through household sewer vent pipes as well as through cracked and damaged pipework. Anywhere the smoke exits, there is potential for rain or groundwater to enter the sewer system.

Smoke testing will also help to identify illegal stormwater connections such as downpipes plumbed into the sewer system.

If the sewer lines are in good condition and there are no illegal stormwater connections then the smoke has no place to go other than up the house vent stack, as it is supposed to.

If you require any further information please contact Banana Shire Council on 0749929500